Key Ecumenical Documents

Ecumenical Code of Practice on Cooperation by the Church of England with Other Churches - February 2019

The Ecumenical Code of Practice 2019 answers basic questions about ecumenical procedures. Its table of contents allows you to navigate to specific issues

Part Four of the Ecumenical Code of Practice 2019 in Word Format

Pro-Forma documents for use in relation to ecumenical activity are provided in Word Format for ease of use.

The Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988

The Church of England's ecumenical provision is grounded in the Ecumenical Relations Measure. It was amended by the Ecumenical Relations Measure 2018.

Canon B 43 Of Ecumenical Relations

Canon B 43 applies to the provisions of the Ecumenical Relations Measure. Together with the Ecumenical Relations Measure, it is the core of the Church of England's structural support of ecumenism.

Designated Churches

Designated churches to which the permissions of the Measure and Canon B43 apply

Churches to which the Measure, the Canon, and the Code of Practice apply - October 2018

There is a national list of churches that the Church of England works with. These are called Designated Churches and the Ecumenical Relations Measure, Canon B 43, and the Ecumenical Code of Practice 2019 apply to them.

However, it should be noted that smaller churches that only exist in smaller areas can be made Designated Churches by a bishop within that bishop's diocese. For the list of these it would be necessary to consult the diocese concerned.

A Formal Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome and Commitment 2019 - PDF

A Formal Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome and Commitment 2019 - Word

In some circumstances Christian unity is best furthered and expressed by welcome Christians of other churches into a Church of England parish or place of worship, without demanding that they cease in their loyalty to their church of origin. The Formal Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome and Commitment is for these situations.

A Service of Joint Baptism and Confirmation

Sometimes a joint service of Confirmation is desired. This could be in  Local Ecumenical Partnership or in some other form of working together where the Church of England has entered into what it recognises as a Local Ecumenical Cooperative Scheme. The House of Bishops has approved the Joint Liturgical Group's Ecumenical Service of Baptism and Confirmation 2014 as a possible rite.

Further relevant documents will be posted here as they become available.